Who will win this weekend's Lehigh Valley Senior Medal Play golf tournament?

Jeff Hudson turned 50 last fall, which he celebrated then by winning the Lehigh Valley Tournament of Champions.

That wasn't his debut on the local senior golf circuit, however. Hudson saved that for the Lehigh Valley Senior Medal Play at Green Pond, a course at which he feels perpetually competitive. Winning, he said, was "icing on the cake."

Hudson shot weekend rounds of 70-73 to win the 22nd annual tournament by four shots. Ed Mesko shot the tournament's low round, a 2-under 69, on Sunday to tie for second with Ike Haluska.

Hudson's sixth career tournament victory (which includes the 2004 Lehigh Valley Amateur) continued an impressive stretch of golf.

Last year, Hudson won the L.V. Mid-Amateur as well as the Tournament of Champions, a double shot that gave him confidence heading into his first senior season. For him, there was no better place to start than Green Pond, where his ball control and short irons made him difficult to beat.

"I earmarked this as my first senior tournament," said Hudson, who lives in Upper Saucon Township. "I love Green Pond. It's a course that definitely fits my game. I hit the ball straight, like to hit a slight cut and I feel really, really comfortable with an 8-iron or less in my hands."

Hudson played a controlled game all weekend, missing just three greens in 36 holes. One of those came from an out-of-bounds at No. 12 on Saturday, which led to Hudson's only double bogey of the tournament.

Otherwise, Hudson hit 17 greens on Saturday and 16 more on Sunday and never relinquished control of his lead. He birdied the first hole Sunday to extend his advantage to four shots and played a defensive back nine for the victory.

"[Saturday] really set the table, and I hit the ball really well all weekend," Hudson said. "I have some more time now to play golf, so I've been playing a lot better, going back to last year."

Though he can play some senior events, Hudson still plans to play some regular events. He will attempt to qualify for the state and U.S. Mid-Amateurs, as well as defend his Lehigh Valley Mid-Amateur title this summer.

Hudson also intends to play the regular division at the Lehigh Valley Amateur at Green Pond, where he knows he can contend.

"Because of the golf course," he said. "I can't drive it as far as the kids anymore, but it's not all about length here."